These cars have wings! But can’t fly…but still awesome!

These are the inspiriting words of American singer-songwriter and record producer R. Kelly. If we’re on our happy, positive pill, we might as well believe the man.

But for these cars, no matter how stretched-out their “wings” may be, there’s just no taking off the ground and navigating the skies. But then again, who needs flying cars? We’re not (yet) in the Jetsons era anyway. What we need are amazing machines on wheels with brilliant looks. And that’s just what these gull-winged stunners in our list are all about.

We start with the beginning. Gull-wing doors (doors hinged at the roof rather than the side of a car) first made an appearance on the Mercedes-Benz 300SL. It is but fitting as these eye-catching doors provide access to an equally eye-catching interior, which the Mercedes-Benz 300SL is well known for. Talk about a stunning ride inside out!

The Italian mid-engined sports car is no stranger to these upward-swinging doors. It’s one of the few of its kind that gives premium to details that make for a dramatic-looking ride. And so, getting equipped with such sexy seagull wings feels appropriate. It doesn’t hurt, too, that Top Gear magazine named the Huayra as “The Hypercar of the Year 2012.” Supremacy in style—need we say more?

Of course, this list is good as zilch without this icon. Thanks to the Back to the Future trilogy, the DeLorean DMC-12 is easily the most recognized gull-winged car in history. No need to expound: it’s classic, stylish, quintessential. It is a legend of the past, the present, and we’re quite sure even the future too.

What, only small- and medium-sized cars can dream of flying? Truly that’s not the case for this custom Volkswagen Bus. Clean and classic finish, striking interior, whitewall tires, broad wingspan—it’s just a sight to behold!